· BREAST AUGMENTATION

You may not be a celebrity, but you can have celebrity curves with a little help from Beverly Hills Physicians. The professionals at Beverly Hills Physicians understand beauty is important to you, and they know how to give you a stunning and natural physique. Beverly Hills Physicians has been featured on Entertainment Tonight, Extra, and Dr. 90210, and the doctors have worked with countless stars from the worlds of music, film and television.

Breast augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman's breast for a number of reasons:

Enhance the body contour of a woman who feels her breast size is too small.

Breast augmentation is one of the oldest and safest cosmetic surgical procedures performed around the world today. With a simple implant behind the breast, you can enjoy a fuller bust line, firmer breasts and the kind of symmetry you have always desired. No wonder this procedure remains one of the most popular in a field crowded with effective choices.

Images provided by Amreican Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

By inserting an implant behind each breast, surgeons are able to increase a woman's bustline by one or more bra cup sizes. If you're considering breast augmentation, please read on to gain a basic understanding of the procedure, when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. Since a lot depends on your individual circumstances, we highly recommend coming in for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Here at Beverly Hills Physicians.com, you get true expert care from day one with your breast augmentation procedure. A consultant is always available to aid in pre-op and post-op care, the surgeons themselves are board certified and supremely experienced, and the results are typically dazzling. The team here makes it as easy as possible for patients to get exactly what they want from their breast augmentation surgery. To this end, the site specially includes before and after pictures of breast augmentation surgeries to help you choose the surgeon you most desire. And with the convenient "Ask a Surgeon" button, you can easily get an expert opinion on anything before you schedule an appointment.

Over the years, factors such as pregnancy, nursing, and the force of gravity take their toll on a woman's breasts. As the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts often lose their shape and firmness and begin to sag. Breastlift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts--at least, for a time. (No surgery can permanently delay the effects of gravity.) Mastopexy can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. If your breasts are small or have lost volume--for example, after pregnancy--breast implants inserted in conjunction with mastopexy can increase both their firmness and their size. If you're considering a breast lift, this brochure will give you a basic understanding of the procedure--when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please be sure to ask your plastic surgeon if there is anything about the procedure you don't understand.

The Best Candidates for Breast Lift

A breast lift can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.

Images provided by Amreican Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

The best candidates for mastopexy are healthy, emotionally-stable women who are realistic about what the surgery can accomplish. The best results are usually achieved in women with small, sagging breasts. Breasts of any size can be lifted, but the results may not last as long in heavy breasts.

Many women seek mastopexy because pregnancy and nursing have left them with stretched skin and less volume in their breasts. However, if you're planning to have more children, it may be a good idea to postpone your breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy usually doesn't interfere with breast-feeding), pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts again and offset the results of the procedure.

For patients with excessive breast size, Breast Reduction Surgery can help relieve the physical symptoms caused by the size and weight of your breasts. Breast reduction surgery will change both the size and position of your breasts. After surgery, your breasts will be in better proportion to the rest of your body.

Who is a candidate for surgery?

If you experience one (or more) of the following complaints, you may be a good candidate for surgery:

Pain from dense, fibrous breast (even if not extremely large breasted)

Breast size varies significantly from side to side

During your free consultation, your plastic surgeon will discuss your breast concerns, including any history of previous breast surgery. He will examine you, often taking measurements and photographs for your medical record. Since your weight can affect breast size, if you plan to lose a large amount of weight, be sure to discuss your plans with your surgeon.

In addition to concerns about your breasts, be prepared to discuss your medical history, both for medical treatments and any surgeries you may have had. Bring a list of your current medications. Any allergies, particularly to medications, can be important to your care.

Typically, incisions are made from your nipple down to your chest wall, and side to side under your breast. Excess breast tissue and skin is removed, with the remaining breast tissue moved to its new position, and the skin closed around your new breast mound.

Images provided by Amreican Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

Pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing can have unpredictable effects on your breasts. The decision to have surgery before or after you have children is a very personal decision. The ability to nurse after reduction surgery is unpredictable. If you nurse after surgery, you will likely experience areas of temporary engorgement. If children are a part of your future plans, be sure to discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon.

Risks associated with breast surgery are the same as any other surgery. Common risks include bleeding, infection, scarring, change in sensation, and loss of tissue. Temporary changes in sensation are common. Changes that are present one year after surgery will be permanent. Although complications are uncommon, you should share any concerns with your surgeon.

Unless you have a job that requires heavy lifting, you can expect to return to work within 7-10 days of surgery. Return to "normal" activity requires 4-6 weeks. Complete healing requires up to one year after surgery. The appearance of your breasts will change with time. Three months or longer may be needed to achieve a more natural "look & feel" for you chest.

Does insurance cover the costs of surgery?

While most insurance companies provide coverage, many factors can influence your eligibility. A letter of predetermination is usually sent to your insurance company. Some companies require a photo as part of their determination process. **Insurance check.

A body lift is similar to a facelift, except it involves the center of the body. Specifically, a body lift is the surgical contouring of arms, thighs, abdomen and breasts to remove excessive, hanging skin. The body lift procedure is designed for people who have lost large amounts of weight either through diet and exercise or gastric/intestinal bypass surgery. Significant weight loss often leaves people with saggy, excessive and unsightly skin that doesn't conform to their new, thinner figures. Other candidates for a body lift may include those who have excessive, sagging skin resulting from the normal aging process or pregnancy. As we age, our skin stops producing the proteins, elastin and collagen, that are needed for tight and tone skin.

Whether your sagging, loose or stretched skin is the result of significant weight loss, aging or pregnancy, a body lift can help give your body normal contours and tighter, smoother and younger looking skin. BeverlyhillsPhysicians.com can perform full body lifts or area-specific procedures in the following areas: arms, abdomen, thighs, breasts and buttocks. It is important to note that our plastic surgeons tailor each body lift to meet the health needs and aesthetic goals of our patients. For more information about body lifts, please visit one of BeverlyHillsPhysicians.com offices in the following convenient Los Angeles locations: Beverly Hills, Encino, Thousand Oaks, Valencia, Pasadena, Long Beach and Oxnard.

Full Body Lift

Depending upon your health, you may be an excellent candidate for a full body lift if you have excessive, sagging skin in multiple areas of your body or your skin has lost overall elasticity. Full body lifts provides dramatic aesthetic results because the full body lift tightens every area of the body where excessive, sagging skin is a problem.

Below are a few area-specific body lifts. (Please note: abdomen, breasts and buttocks can also be treated.)

Arm Lift

Brachioplasty, or an arm lift, is designed to remove excessive and sagging skin in the upper arm that often results from weight loss and aging. An arm lift can give your arms the shapely contours you may not have seen in a long time or never had! Imagine being able to wear any sleeveless shirt you want!

Thigh Lift

Are you self-conscious about the way your thighs look? Is there excessive, loose skin that hangs or shakes when you walk? A thigh lift is a popular choice for those looking for sleeker, tighter legs. The goal of the thigh lift is to remove the "dimpled" cellulite look on your thighs. In addition, depending upon your health, liposuction can also be performed for better results. Imagine being able to wear shorts again!

For more information about body lifts, please visit one of BeverlyHillsPhysicians.com offices in the following convenient Los Angeles locations: Beverly Hills, Encino, Thousand Oaks, Valencia, Pasadena, Long Beach and Oxnard.

· BOTOX® Cosmetic

Facial furrows form mainly in response to normal aging (increased by sun exposure) and the pull of underlying muscles. BOTOX® Cosmetic works by decreasing the pull of these muscles thereby allowing treatment of some skin creases without surgery.

Botox® has become a sensation in recent years, and with good reason. Rather than surgically sculpting the shape of your face, these gentle injections simple ease it back into a more relaxed, youthful glow. The mechanism is as simple as it is effective.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is the brand name for botulinum toxin type A, nature's most potent blocker of nerve impulses. BOTOX® Cosmetic works by partially blocking the nerve to the injected muscle.

BOTOX® Cosmetic injections are best on the upper third of the face. Forehead lines, furrows between the eyebrows, and lines around the eyes (crow's feet) respond favorably to BOTOX® Cosmetic. Frown lines (below the mouth) and chin creases may also be improved with a BOTOX® Cosmetic injection, but response here varies by individuals.

Please remember, BOTOX® Cosmetic injections are temporary. The effect wears off in about four to six months. If desired, the injection may be repeated, and modified to achieve a different result each time.

Here at Beverly Hills Physicians.com, you get access to an unprecedented network of experienced, board-certified physicians, many of whom have been performing this precise procedure for many years. These experts walk you through every step of the process, and they let you know what to expect from the procedure. Nothing is worse than an impersonal plastic surgeon, except maybe a surgeon who makes promises he can't keep. With spa-like facilities and uncommonly good patient care, you can also count on an experience that is pleasurable from start to finish.

For more information on Botox in Los Angeles or Beverly Hills, contact Beverly Hills Physicians directly at 1-800-788-1416.

· BOTOX® for Hyperhydrosis

Hyperhydrosis is excessive sweating. Sweating is one of the most important ways in which the body loses heat; however, people with Hyperhydrosis produce sweat in amounts far greater than needed to control their temperature.

What's happening in the body to cause Hyperhydrosis?

Hyperhydrosis is caused by over activity of one type of sweat gland, the eccrine gland. Many things can trigger normal sweating and this is also true for Hyperhydrosis - it's just the amount of sweating that's different. Examples include:

Exercise

Stress, anxiety or strong emotions

Heat or cold

Certain times of the day

Alcohol, coffee or tea, smoking or spicy food

People with Hyperhydrosis can produce a large amount of sweat. This means that the armpits may be constantly damp. This can cause embarrassment at work or socially, and it may make normal everyday activities more difficult to carry out. But it is not true that Hyperhydrosis causes body odour: the smell that some think is due to sweating is in fact caused by bacteria on the skin if the sweat remains on the skin for a long time.

What can I do about Hyperhydrosis?

Simple self-help measures you can take include:

Choose clothing that will keep you cool. Natural fibres are cool but they absorb sweat and can remain damp; some synthetic fibres are warm but they wick sweat away from the body and feel dry.

Keep your work environment cool and well aired

Avoid the food and drinks that trigger sweating; these will be different for everyone and you will probably know what causes problems for you.

Stress, tension and anxiety are common problems for everyone, though people with Hyperhydrosis have the extra difficulties of coping with sweating. Think about how you can reduce stress during the day: plan your activities carefully and make time to relax.

Odour can be prevented by attention to personal hygiene (such as frequent showers); although this will not be convenient for people who constantly sweat, it is an effective and simple measure to take.

How does BOTOX work?

BOTOX is recommended for the treatment of Hyperhydrosis. When small doses are injected into the skin, BOTOX blocks the actions of the nerves that supply the eccrine glands: this prevents the glands from producing sweat. The effects of treatment last for several months but eventually they will wear off.

What happens during a course of treatment with BOTOX?

Using a very fine needle, you will be injected with a small amount of solution of BOTOX into 10 to 15 places about 1 cm apart and spread evenly in each armpit. Dye is used to show up areas where sweating is greatest and to show where injections should be placed. A course of treatment takes about 30 minutes.

How soon does it work and how long will it last?

You should notice some change for the better within the first week after your treatment. Your next treatment can be given when the effects of the first course wear off: this usually happens after an average of 7 months.

How effective is BOTOX at reducing sweating?

Different people have different responses to treatment. In a clinical trial, the average reduction in sweat production on week after treatment was 87% and sweating was reduced by at least half in 95% of patients.

What happens if I decide to stop treatment?

The effects of BOTOX wear off over a period of several months. If you decide not to have more treatment there will be no lasting change in the areas treating and sweating will gradually return to the level it was before you started treatment.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted market approval for Captique Injectable gel -- a new dermal filler product based on Genzyme's non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (HA) technology.

The way your skin looks is directly related to the way your skin is supported. As we age, the natural support layers in the skin break down resulting in the formation of wrinkles.

Captique, a clear gel containing a purified form of hyaluronic (h¯i ‘?a-l¯u -ron’ik) acid, adds volume lost during the aging process by temporarily smoothing out facial lines and wrinkles.

Captique is injected just under the skin’s surface in order to temporarily correct wrinkles.

Captique is the newest hyaluronic acid entry into the U.S. dermal filler marketplace. It is indicated for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and is manufactured by Genzyme. Inamed is Genzyme's exclusive U.S. marketing and distribution partner for Captique.

Chin augmentation (Genioplasty or Mentoplasty) can strengthen the appearance of a receding chin by increasing its projection. Simultaneously, it can create better harmony between the chin and other facial features for a more balanced profile. Chin augmentation does not affect your bite or jaw function.

There are two techniques for adding prominence and contour to your chin. One, performed through an incision inside the mouth, involves moving the chin bone. The other approach involves inserting an implant. The incision to insert this implant may be made in the mouth or on the underside of the chin, in the latter case, surgery will usually leave a negligible scar. To permit proper healing following chin augmentation, you may be placed on a liquid diet for a day or two. The area may be taped or bandaged.

Similarly, in some cases the cheekbones may be built up (augmented) by placing an implant over them. This is usually performed through an incision within the mouth, but it may be done through a lower eyelid or brow lift incision.

After a chin or cheek augmentation, you will most likely be up and about the same day as surgery and back to work within a week.

Collagen, also know as Zyderm and Zyplast, is a safe non-surgical approach to replacing the skin's natural collagen and smoothing out facial lines. These lines are caused by the wearing down of your skin's natural collagen, which is a network of fibers providing the supporting structure for your skin. Collagen Replacement Therapy helps to smooth facial lines and augment the skin by supplementing the collagen under the skin. Collagen can be injected in vertical lip lines and along the edge of the lip to enhance the definition of the lip border and make the lips appear fuller and more youthful.

The procedure is performed in the office and takes about 20 minutes. It is important to have a simple test on your forearm to make sure you are not sensitive to Collagen Implants. 97% will show no reaction to the skin test and can be treated. Results are immediate, but not permanent. Just like your natural collagen, injectable collagen begins to lose its form and will eventually wear down. Full correction occurs and is maintained only with a series

Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears.

For the most part, the operation is done on children between the ages of four and 14. Ears are almost fully grown by age four, and the earlier the surgery, the less teasing and ridicule the child will have to endure. Ear surgery on adults is also possible, and there are generally no additional risks associated with ear surgery on an older patient.

If you're considering ear surgery for yourself or your child, this information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please be sure to ask your doctor if there is anything you don't understand about the procedure.

Images provided by Amreican Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

When ear surgery is performed by a qualified, experienced surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, as with any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure.

A small percentage of patients may develop a blood clot on the ear. It may dissolve naturally or can be drawn out with a needle.

Occasionally, patients develop an infection in the cartilage, which can cause scar tissue to form. Such infections are usually treated with antibiotics; rarely, surgery may be required to drain the infected area.

Most surgeons recommend that parents stay alert to their child's feelings about protruding ears; don't insist on the surgery until your child wants the change. Children who feel uncomfortable about their ears and want the surgery are generally more cooperative during the process and happier with the outcome.

In the initial meeting, your surgeon will evaluate your child's condition, or yours if you are considering surgery for yourself, and recommend the most effective technique. He or she will also give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery. **Insurance check.

· EYELID SURGERY

One of the first things people notice about you is your eyes. Puffy eyelids and droopy bags under your eyes can make you look much older than you really are. While eye-area problems can be related to lack of sleep, dehydration or other factors, many people have genetic eye issues that can be fixed with corrective cosmetic surgery.

Eyelid surgery (technically called blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove fat--usually along with excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes - features that make you look older and more tired than you feel, and may even interfere with your vision. However, it won't remove crow's feet or other wrinkles, eliminate dark circles under your eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows. While it can add an upper eyelid crease to Asian eyes, it will not erase evidence of your ethnic or racial heritage. Blepharoplasty can be done alone, or in conjunction with other facial surgery procedures such as a facelift or browlift.

Images provided by Amreican Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

Blepharoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon. **Insurance check.

If you live in Los Angeles, you have the luxury of choosing from the best plastic surgeons in the country, and you'll find them at Beverly Hills Physicians. If you're thinking about eyelid surgery in Los Angeles, you can take a look at before and after photos to get an idea of what to expect. One of the doctors at Beverly Hills Physicians can also make suggestions for the type of surgery that will produce the best results for you.

If you're interested in creating a whole new you, the experts at Beverly Hills Physicians can help you design a complete makeover. Much like the makeover shows you see on television today. Your friends and family members won't believe the transformation in you. If you want to find out more about eyelid surgery in Los Angeles, call Beverly Hills Physicians today at 1-800-788-1416, or simply fill out our contact form.

· FACE LIFT

As people age, the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun, and the stresses of daily life can be seen in their faces. Deep creases form between the nose and mouth; the jawline grows slack and jowly; folds and fat deposits appear around the neck. These factors can make you look older than you really are.

A facelift (technically known as rhytidectomy) can't stop this aging process. What it can do is "set back the clock," improving the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping the skin of your face and neck. A facelift can be done alone, or in conjunction with other procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, or nose reshaping. Nothing boosts your confidence like having someone guess your age and miss the mark by as much as ten years. The right face lift procedure will keep them guessing, giving you added confidence in your personal and professional lives.

Images provided by Amreican Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

If you're considering a facelift, this brochure will give you a basic understanding of the procedure when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the plastic surgeon. Please ask your surgeon about anything you don't understand.

The best candidate for a facelift surgery is a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well-defined. Most patients are in their forties to sixties, but facelifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies or eighties as well.

A facelift can make you look younger and fresher, and it may enhance your self- confidence in the process. But it can't give you a totally different look, nor can it restore the health and vitality of your youth. Before you decide to have plastic or cosmetic surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your your plastic or cosmetic surgeon.

BeverlyHillsPhysicians.com offers plastic & cosmetic surgery procedures including Face Lift Surgery in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills & other centers in Southern California. We are in the business of making people of all ages look their very best. With more than 100 years of combined surgical experience and a network of health and wellness centers throughout the Los Angeles area, you know you're getting the best in artistic vision and personalized care with Beverly Hills Physicians.

Many face lift candidates also have other operations at the same time. At Beverly Hills Physicians, they offer board-certified surgeons who are highly experienced in face lifts and other common procedures. Your doctor can help you determine if other plastic or cosmetic surgery procedures like eyelid lifts, rhinoplasty, and forehead lifts are right for you. If you have any questions about face lift surgery in Beverly Hills or Los Angeles, you can call Beverly Hills Physicians at 1-800-788-1416 or even fill out our contact form.

A forehead lift or "browlift" is a procedure that restores a more youthful, refreshed look to the area above the eyes. The procedure corrects drooping brows and improves the horizontal lines and furrows that can make a person appear angry, sad or tired.

In a forehead lift, the muscles and tissues that cause the furrowing or drooping are removed or altered to smooth the forehead, raise the eyebrows and minimize frown lines. Your surgeon may use the conventional surgical method, in which the incision is hidden just behind the hairline; or it may be performed with the use of an endoscope, a viewing instrument that allows the procedure to be performed with minimal incisions. Both techniques yield similar results -- smoother forehead skin and a more animated appearance.

Images provided by Amreican Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

If you're considering a forehead lift, this brochure will provide a basic understanding of the procedure -- when it can help, how it's performed and what results you can expect. It won't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Be sure to ask your doctor if there is anything you don't understand about the procedure.

A forehead lift is most commonly performed in the 40-60 age range to minimize the visible effects of aging. However, it can also help people of any age who have developed furrows or frown lines due to stress or muscle activity. Individuals with inherited conditions, such as a low, heavy brow or furrowed lines above the nose can achieve a more alert and refreshed look with this procedure.

Forehead lift is often performed in conjunction with a facelift to provide a smoother overall look to the face. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) may also be performed at the same time as a forehead lift, especially if a patient has significant skin overhang in the upper eyelids. Sometimes, patients who believe they need upper-eyelid surgery find that a forehead lift better meets their surgical goals.

Patients who are bald, who have a receding hairline, or who have had previous upper-eyelid surgery may still be good candidates for forehead lift. The surgeon will simply alter the incision location or perform a more conservative operation.

Remember, a forehead lift can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them in detail with your doctor.

· JUVEDERMTM

What Is Juvéderm™ Injectable Gel?

As we age, our skin changes. Over time, the natural volume of youthful skin begins to diminish as wrinkles and folds form. But, with Juvéderm™ injectable gel, you don't have to just sit back and let it happen! Recently approved by the FDA, Juvéderm™ injectable gel is a “next-generation” dermal filler. The smooth consistency gel helps to instantly restore your skin's volume and smooth away facial wrinkles and folds, like your "smile lines" or “parentheses” (nasolabial folds—the creases that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth).

Juvéderm™ is a smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration. Your healthcare professional eases Juvéderm™ injectable gel under the skin to provide a smooth, natural look and feel—so everyone will notice (but no one will know)! In fact, studies show superior results of Juvéderm™ compared to a collagen-based dermal filler.* And, almost 90% of all study volunteers who were treated with both Juvéderm™ injectable gel and another dermal filler* preferred Juvéderm™! In addition, Juvéderm™ injectable gel is the first FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal filler that is proven to be safe and effective for persons of color.

It is no coincidence that many of today's celebrities have full, sexy lips. Even the ones with naturally thin lips often have lip augmentation in order to achieve the perfect pout. Throughout history, full lips have been a sign of youth and beauty. However, as we age, lips tend to get thinner due to diminishing levels of collagen in the skin. Lips may also wrinkle making you look and feel older than you really are. Fortunately, lip augmentation is available to give you fuller, younger looking lips that help improve sexual and self confidence. Lip augmentation can also make your entire face look younger by reducing the appearance of wrinkles around the mouth. Lip augmentation is becoming increasingly popular due to speedy recovery times and quick results.

Candidates for lip augmentation include: people with thin lips; wrinkled lips due to aging or smoking; asymmetrical lips or those in need of lip reconstruction. For more information about lip augmentation, please visit one of BeverlyHillsPhysicians.com offices in the following convenient Los Angeles locations: Beverly Hills, Encino, Thousand Oaks, Valencia, Pasadena, Long Beach and Oxnard.

Lip Augmentation can be performed through injections of natural or synthetic materials. Below are a few popular lip augmentation procedures to consider:

Collagen: Collagen is a safe non-surgical approach to replacing the skin's natural collagen. Collagen can be injected in vertical lip lines and along the edge of the lip to enhance the definition of the lip border and make the lips appear fuller and more youthful. Collagen may last up to 3 months.

Restylane: Like Captique, Restylane is a premier wrinkle filler because it is a safe, non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid. It is injected to fill out creases and lines and gives your lips a fuller, plumper, youthful look. Both Captique and Restylane last approximately 4-6 months.

Juvederm ™ has the highest concentration of hyaluronic acid currently in a filler-- making it smoother than other fillers. Due to the high concentration of hyaluronic acid and a smooth formula, Juvederm™ will enhance your lips up to 6 months.

Fat Transfer: For permanent, natural enlargement of the lips, fat can be harvested from one area of the body and reinjected into the lips. Fat injections have the advantage over other fillers because it is permanent but some patient may experience lumpiness. Your surgeon at BeverlyHillsPhysicians.com will help you make the lip augmentation choice that is right for you depending upon your health and aesthetic goals.

· LIPOSUCTION

Liposuction is a procedure performed to improve the appearance of your body contours. It can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for dieting and exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that do not respond to traditional weight-loss methods.

There are technical variations to the basic liposuction techniques. Our plastic and cosmetic surgeons are highly experienced and can remove the fat, but it is not what is removed that matters - it is the shape that you leave the body in after the fat is gone that counts. Liposuction techniques, together with an excellent artistic vision make our plastic surgeons the right individuals to help you achieve the body contours you have always dreamed of.

The best candidates for liposuction are normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat in certain areas. You should be physically healthy, psychologically stable and realistic in your expectations. Your age is not a major consideration, but older patients may have diminished skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin.

We encourage you to arrange an appointment with our plastic surgeons as they can assess your needs as they consider variables such as your age, skin elasticity, expectations, and overall state of health, in order to assist you in making the decision that would be most appropriate for you.

During your initial consultation the plastic surgeon will evaluate your health, determine where your fat deposits lie and assess the condition of your skin. The plastic surgeon will explain the method that is most appropriate for you. For example, if you believe you want liposuction in the abdominal area, you may learn that an Abdominoplasty would more effectively meet your goals.

The plastic surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for plastic surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, iron tablets and certain medications.

The time required to perform liposuction varies considerably depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and the technique used.

The scars from liposuction are small and strategically placed to be hidden from view. Imperfections in the final appearance are uncommon, but the skin surface can initially be irregular, asymmetric or even "baggy," especially in older patients. Numbness and minor pigmentation changes although extremely rare may also occur.

Improvement will become apparent after about six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided. After surgery, you may experience some fluid drainage from the incisions. To control swelling and to help your skin better fit its new contours, you may be fitted with a snug elastic garment to wear over the treated area for a few weeks. The Doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.

You may experience some pain, burning, swelling, bleeding and temporary numbness after the surgery. Pain can be controlled with medications prescribed by your plastic surgeon, though you may still feel stiff and sore for a few days.

The plastic surgeon will recommend you start walking around as soon as possible to reduce swelling and to help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. You will begin to feel better after a week or two and you should be back at work within a few days following your surgery. There may be a few stitches, which are usually removed or dissolve on their own within the first week to 10 days after surgery. Activity that is more strenuous should be avoided for about a month as your body continues to heal. Most of the bruising and swelling usually disappears within three weeks.

If your expectations are realistic, you will be very pleased with the results of your procedure. You may find that you are more comfortable in a wide variety of clothes and more at ease with your body. By eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, you will be able to maintain your new look for the rest of your life.

Some men have deposits of excess breast tissue and fat in their breasts, giving them a female form. While sometimes related to medicines or a hormonal imbalance, these inciting causes are not often found to be a factor. Most cases are a matter of bad luck!

Correction of this problem known as Gynecomastia is usually able to be accomplished with Liposuction. In rare cases, there is so much extra skin that this must be reduced as well as the internal deposits.

This is an outpatient procedure performed at our own state of the art outpatient surgery center, requiring only 2-3 days of recovery time.

What is Male Gynecomastia?

Studies show that 30% to 60% of adult men will develop a condition we call male gynecomastia, or excessive growth of breast tissue, over the course of their lives. Although the condition isn't usually serious, it can be linked to potentially dangerous health problems, so the best advice is to see your doctor.

First, your doctor will do a simple physical examination, feeling the area to see if the problem is caused simply by excess fat. If so, he or she may recommend that you get some exercise and lose some weight. But if your doctor detects an abnormal growth of glandular tissue, the next step is to figure out why.

Images provided by Amreican Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

Being overweight may still be part of the explanation. Excess fat tends to cause a man's body to produce more of the female hormone estrogen, which can stimulate breast tissue growth. In about one-fourth of cases, excess breast tissue from puberty doesn't go away as it normally would. In another fourth of the cases gynecomastia is caused by such medications as hormone supplements, blood pressure drugs, or diuretics that either push up estrogen levels or block male hormones. An equal number of cases are linked to more serious problems, for example, tumors that affect the glands that produce hormones. And for the remaining cases, the cause is still unknown.

We can usually do something about the problem. If weight loss doesn't solve it, plastic surgery may be needed to remove the excess tissue from your chest area.

Having excess breast tissue may be embarrassing to you, but in most cases it is not serious and can be easily treated. **Insurance check.

Do you have a double chin or droopy, sagging skin in your neck area? Is your neck too full and out of proportion with your face? Perhaps you've developed jowls and your once prominent jaw line is no longer visible. For some, droopy, fatty, skin in the neck area is the result of significant weight loss or the normal aging process, but for others, their sagging skin is genetic. Regardless, a double chin and excess skin and fat around the neck affects appearance and self esteem. The good news is-you can do something about it. Neck lifts are available to remove unsightly sagging skin and fat in the neck area leaving you with a neck and jaw line that is more attractive and youthful looking. For more information about neck lifts, please visit one of BeverlyHillsPhysicians.com offices in the following convenient Los Angeles locations: Beverly Hills, Encino, Thousand Oaks, Valencia, Pasadena, Long Beach and Oxnard.

Who is a good candidate for a neck lift? Anyone who has lost a lot of weight, has a double chin, jowls, excess skin and fat in the neck area, neck banding or a neck with a turkey waddle appearance.

Neck lifts are performed using endoscopic surgery. The neck muscles are tightened, excess skin and fat removed and the skin is redraped to give better definition to the neck and jaw line. Scars are not noticeable because the incisions are hidden behind the ears. While a neck lift can't stop the aging process, it can make you look dramatically younger by highlighting the contours of your neck and jaw line. In fact, after your surgery, most people will think you've simply lost weight or just toned up. For a complete rejuvenation, a neck lift can be done in conjunction with a face or brow lift.

For more information about neck lifts, please visit one of BeverlyHillsPhysicians.com offices in the following convenient Los Angeles locations: Beverly Hills, Encino, Thousand Oaks, Valencia, Pasadena, Long Beach and Oxnard.

Restylane is considered a premier wrinkle filler because it is a safe, temporary, non-animal form of hyaluronic acid gel, a naturally occurring substance that binds water to cells. Restylane is injected to fill out creases and lines. It is not to be confused with Botox, which basically relaxes muscles, and they work brilliantly together as a team. The most common areas to have done are lips, nasal labial folds, smile lines and drooping corners of the mouth. Perlane is a very pure and stabilized form of hyaluronic acid.

Are there any Side Effects?

Restylane has minimal side effects. The most common is slight bruising, which is seen in about 20% of patients. The injection hurts more than collagen because collagen has anesthetic. Less common problems would include allergies, but this is very rare. Some patients experience an infection or a cold sore due to the injection of the needle. Additionally, there maybe a little swelling after the needle is injected, and resolves within a day or two.

Rhinoplasty (or Nose Refinement Surgery) is the most intricate cosmetic surgery performed today. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils, or change the angle between your nose and your upper lip. It may also correct a birth defect or injury and help relieve some breathing problems.

The best candidates for Rhinoplasty are people who are looking for improvement in the way they look, are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and have realistic expectations. During the initial consultation, the surgeon will evaluate the structure of your nose and face and discuss the possibilities for enhancement with you. The Doctor will also explain some factors that can influence the procedure and results. These factors include the structure of your nasal bones and cartilage, the shape of your face, the thickness of your skin, your age, and your expectations.

Be sure to tell the surgeon if you have had any previous nose surgery or an injury to your nose. You should also inform your surgeon if you have any allergies or breathing difficulties, if you are taking any medications, vitamins, or recreational drugs and if you smoke.

The surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications and washing your face. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly.

Images provided by Amreican Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

Rhinoplasty usually takes an hour or two, though complicated procedures may take longer. During surgery, the skin of the nose is separated from its supporting framework of bone and cartilage, which is then sculpted to the desired shape. The nature of the sculpting will depend on your problem and the Surgeon's preferred technique. Finally, the skin is redraped over the new framework.

Most Physicians place nasal packs or soft plastic splints in your nostrils, a procedure perceived by many patients as unpleasant and uncomfortable. Our Surgeons use the most advanced surgical techniques, allowing us to avoid packing the nose with gauze in most of the cases. When the surgery is complete, a splint will be applied to help your nose maintain its new shape.

After surgery, especially during the first twenty-four hours, your face will feel puffy, your nose may ache, and you may have a dull headache. You can control any discomfort with the pain medication prescribed by the Surgeon. Plan on staying in bed with your head elevated for the first day.

You will notice that the swelling and bruising around your eyes will increase at first, reaching a peak after two or three days. Applying cold compresses will reduce this swelling and make you feel a bit better. Most of the swelling and bruising should disappear within two weeks.

Minor bleeding is common during the first few days following surgery, and you may continue to feel some stuffiness for several weeks. The Surgeon will ask you not to blow your nose for a week or so, while the tissues heal. After 7 to 10 days, all dressings and stitches will be removed.

Most Rhinoplasty patients are up and about within two days, and able to return to school or work a week following surgery. The Surgeon will give you specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities, but generally you should avoid strenuous activities for two to three weeks. You should also avoid hitting or rubbing your nose, or getting it sunburned. Be gentle when washing your face and hair or using cosmetics.

Day by day, your nose will begin to look better and your spirits will improve. Even though it will take months for the final results to emerge, you will be able to enjoy your new look a week or two after surgery. **Insurance check.

The demand for non-invasive procedures for skin
tightening and wrinkle reduction is increasing. Light-based therapies
alone have limited efficacy due to the absorption of light by epidermal
melanin and limited dermal remodeling.

To meet the demand for safe, non-invasive procedures for the
treatment of photo-damaged skin, a variety of light-based therapies
have been developed. Although results are less impressive than those
of surgical facelifts, adverse effects are few and post-treatment
recovery time is short. For example, the use of non-ablative, infrared
(IR) lasers with skin-surface cooling has been explored as a stimulus
for dermal remodeling and clinical improvement of wrinkles with
few adverse effects.

A major limitation of light-based therapies is that optical energy
is absorbed by epidermal melanin, thus limiting the depth of light
penetration, particularly in patients with dark skin. Another limitation
is wrinkles respond minimally to this treatment because collagen
contains no chromophores to absorb the light.

To overcome these drawbacks, selective electro-thermolysis, in
which electrical energy from radiofrequency (RF) current selectively
heats target tissue without damaging the epidermis, has been
introduced. RF current placed on the skin penetrates the epidermis
and moves to tissues that offer high electrical conductivity. Since
conductivity varies inversely with temperature, cooling the epidermis
guides the RF current to deeper tissues which, when pre-heated, has
higher conductivity and thus a greater probability of receiving the
RF current. The amount of heat generated in the pre-heated tissue
varies with the tissue’s resistance (impedance) to the RF current.

The Polaris WR™ Applicator (Syneron Medical Ltd., Yokneam,
Israel) is a combination of 900 nm diode laser and RF technologies.
The WR applicator can also be found on the Galaxy™,eLaser™,and
eMax™. This WR device delivers optical energy to pre-heat the
target and RF energy to heat the target (without injuring the epidermis)
even more to a temperature that exceeds its therapeutic threshold.
This combination of technologies is called electro-optical synergy
(ELOS). The Polaris WR has shown efficacy and safety in the
treatment of facial rhytides, skin laxity, and skin texture.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety
of the broadband (700-2000 nm) ReFirme ST Applicator for the
non-ablative treatment of skin laxity and mild to moderate rhytides.

· TUMMY TUCK

Tummy tuck is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. It is also known as abdominoplasty.

The best candidates for tummy tucks are women or men in relatively good shape who have large fat deposits or loose abdominal skin that did not respond to diet , exercise or both. Women who have had multiple pregnancies and stretched their abdominal muscles and skin will specially benefit from such a procedure. Older patients who are obese and have lost the elasticity of their skin can also benefit from this procedure. Tummy tucks can be used alone or in combination with liposuction to achieve the results you seek. Ask your surgeon what he recommends for you.

Images provided by Amreican Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

Partial and complete abdominoplasties are performed on an outpatient basis and can be done under general anaesthesia. Complete abdominoplasty usually takes two to five hours while partial abdominoplasty may take an hour or two.

Because any surgical procedure carries certain risks and possible complications, you should discuss the procedure in detail with your plastic surgeon.

After surgery, most people return to their jobs in two weeks while some others take three or four weeks before going back. The results of tummy tuck are usually long lasting if you keep your weight under control and exercise regularly.